The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Dear respected one,
I know this mail may come to you as a surprise, especially since we do not know each other in person. To briefly introduce myself, my name is Mohamed Gambo, the only son of Dr.Danguma Gambo from Mende district, Sierra Leone. I am writing you in absolute confidence primarily to seek your assistance to transfer our cash sum of Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$9,500,000.00) deposited by my late father in a Security & Finance company in Dakar senegal for safe keeping purpose before he was killed, The money was deposited in a metal box and declared as a personal effects and gemstones for security reasons.

SOURCE OF THE MONEY : My late father, late Dr. Danjuma Gambo, a native of Mende district in the Northern Province of Sierra-Leone, was the General Manager of Sierra-Leonine Mining Corporation (S.L.M.C.) Freetown. According to my father, this money was the income accrued from mining corporation's over draft and minor sales before the peak of the civil war between the rebels forces loyal to Major Paul Koromah and the combined forces of ECOMOG peace-keeping operation that almost destroyed my country, following the forceful removal from power of the Civilian elected President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah by the rebels.

My father had already made arrangement for his family; my mother, my little sister and myself to be evacuated to Dakar senegal with our personal effects and the box containing our valued items and documents of the deposit. My father deposited the money on safe custody until after the war when he will join us.
During the war in my country, and following the indiscriminate looting of public and Government properties by the rebel forces, the Sierra-Leonine Mining corporation was one of the targets looted and destroyed. My father including other top Government functionaries were attacked and killed by the rebels in November 2000 because of his relationship with the civilian Government of President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.

As a result of my father's death, and with the news of my uncle's involvement in air crash in January, dashed our hope of survival. The untimely deaths caused my mother's heart failure and other related complications of which she later died in the hospital after we must have spent a lot of money on her.
Now, my 17 years old sister and myself are alone in this strange country suffering without any care or help without any relation, we are now orphans and refugees . Our only hope now is in the money our father deposited in the security company. To this effect, I humbly solicit your assistance in the followings ways:

(1) To travel and meet us here so that we can make a formal introduction and know each other better.
(2) To assist me claim this fund from the security company as co-beneficiary.
(3)To transfer this money in your name to your country.
(4) To make a good arrangement for a joint business investment on our behalf in your country and you, the care taker.
(5) To secure a college for my little sister and my self in your country to further our education. And to make arrangement for our travel with you to your country after you have transferred this fund, most importantly.

The whole documents issued after deposit is in my custody and will be forwarded to you on demand. For your assistance, I beg to concede 20 % of this money to you for your effort and kind assistance. If you agree to these or have any question after you would have received this mail please let me know via email for now.
Best regards,
Mr Mohamed Gambo.